If there's one universal truth, it's that all of our bodies begin changing at some point. That's especially true for women who are over the age of 50. One day it seems like we're rolling out of bed with a pep in our step. The next, our emotions are out of control, our weight won't go down, and we constantly have hot flashes. If that sounds like you, don't worry â millions of other women worldwide are going through the same difficulties.
The fact of the matter is these symptoms are part of a natural process women go through. This change, called menopause, marks the end of a woman's ability to reproduce and menstruate. The average age for this to occur is 51, though it officially begins a year after a woman's final period. During this transition to menopause, estrogen and other hormones in a woman's body start to deplete When those hormones deplete, frequent and sometimes severe symptoms can manifest:
The symptoms of hormone deficiency can be scary for both women and their partners. That makes dealing with a hormone deficiency tricky because many symptoms are tied to nutrition, stress, lack of exercise, and toxins in your body.
However, if you're getting older and dealing with some of the symptoms listed above, have hope. A solution to your hormone problems may be closer than you think. Hormone replacement therapy for women may help correct imbalances caused by menopause. These effective, safe treatments help many women throughout the menopause process and may even help them reclaim their youth.
To live a healthy life, hormone stability is very important for women. That's where the beauty of HRT treatments for women begins to shine because it balances hormones that would otherwise be altered due to menopause.
HRT treatments for women represent a revolutionary step toward living life without the pitfalls of old age. However, at Juventee, we understand that no two women, and by proxy, patients, are the same. That's why our team of doctors and specialists provide personalized treatment options for women, combining holistic treatment, nutrition, fitness plans, and more to supplement our HRT treatments.
Is HRT the answer if you feel exhausted, overweight, and moody? That's the million-dollar question that we're asked almost every day. And to be honest, it's hard to say without a comprehensive exam by an HRT expert at Juventee. What we can say is that when a woman's hormones are better balanced during menopause, she has a much better chance of enjoying life without the crippling symptoms that other women feel.
At Juventee, helping women reclaim their vitality and love of life is our top priority. While some HRT clinics see patients as nothing more than a means to make money, our team is cut from a different cloth.
The key to balancing your hormones and improving your well-being is a process that we have refined over time. The Juventee HRT process consists of a comprehensive review of your health and hormonal status. Our team then customizes your plan and prescribes treatments, procedures, and supplements under the guidance of our local HRT experts.
At Juventee, we want to revitalize your health by promoting balance, energy, intimacy, and beauty. We start by assessing your baseline biomarkers and implementing a personalized plan to help you feel like your younger self. Our in-depth process covers many factors, almost like a web. Each component of that web works in conjunction with others to make up how you feel. If one area is out of sync, women can experience unwanted fluctuations in their weight, energy, emotions, libido, and more. Juventee is committed to evaluating our patient's overall health so that we may bring vitality and happiness to as many aspects of their lives as possible.
We've mentioned all the greatness that can come with an HRT regimen from Juventee, but what exactly are the benefits of HRT for women? Let's take a look.
We Work With
Unlike some HRT clinics, Juventee's HRT programs are carefully crafted and personalized for each patient. There are no cookie-cutter solutions at our office. Instead, we assess each individual's needs and customize treatments to help their bodies as they age. We replace hormones that are deficient and restore them to their physiological state using HRT pellets.
These hormone pellets are prescription hormones inserted under the skin through a simple in-office procedure. Each pellet is about as large as a big grain of rice. Once inserted, our HRT pellets get to work quickly. With this treatment, patients don't have to worry about applying greasy creams or swallowing pills. Instead, our pellets are metabolized by the body. That way, patients don't stress over taking too much or too little.
Remember, at Juventee, our goal isn't just to balance your hormones â it's to completely optimize your health and well-being. You won't ever have to worry about our doctors writing you a prescription and sending you on your way without any additional communication. Instead, we aim to be part of our patient's journey back to health and work with all of our HRT patients to do so.
Hormone imbalance causes a litany of issues. But with hormone replacement therapy, females can better process calcium, keep their cholesterol levels safe, and maintain a healthy vagina. By replenishing the body's estrogen levels, HRT may relieve symptoms of menopause and even optimize bone health.
But that's just the start. At Juventee, our patients report many benefits of taking HRT for women:
If you're ready to feel better and enjoy the vitality of your youth, Juventee is here to help you every step of the way. It all starts with an in-person evaluation, where our team will determine if HRT is right for you.
For many women, menopause is a difficult time filled with ups, downs, and hormonal hurdles to overcome. While menopausal issues are well-known by some, other women only know that menopause can affect their hormones. The reality is that going through menopause can mean more than moodiness and hot flashes.
At Juventee, we're big believers that a little knowledge can go a long way. With that in mind, if you're going through menopause or are approaching "that" age, consider these common issues. First, let's examine some alternative causes of menopause beyond age:
The most common reason for menopause is diminished, unbalanced hormones. However, menopause can also result from:
Now that we've examined some of the ways that menopause manifests, let's look at some common problems that females regularly endure:
If you're going through menopause and feel like life is a tiresome burden, you're not alone. Studies show that 15% of women go through depression to some degree during menopause. What many women don't learn is that depression may start much earlier, during perimenopause or even earlier.
Depression can be hard to diagnose, even without perimenopause and menopause as a factor. With that said, keep the following signs in mind. If you notice any, it might be time to speak with a physician:
If you notice any of the signs above, it's important that you understand that you're not weak or broken. You're going through a very normal emotional experience, which may be caused by hormone deficiency. However, with proper treatment from your doctor, depression doesn't have to rule your life.
You don't have to have hormonal imbalances to have mood swings. Indeed, everyone gets moody from time to time. For women going through menopause, however, mood swings can be extreme and happen often. Hormone imbalances and mood swings go together, resulting in unusual emotional changes and even issues like insomnia.
Estrogen production, a hormone that fluctuates during menopause, affects serotonin production, which regulates mood. When both hormones are deficient, mood swings can become quite prevalent.
Fortunately, HRT treatments in Fairview, NJ, work wonders for women because they work to regulate hormones like estrogen. With HRT from Juventee, women don't have to settle for the negative consequences that drastic mood swings can cause.
Hot flashes: whether you're a man or a woman, you've probably heard of them. Hot flashes are very common issues associated with menopause and manifest as intense, sudden feelings of heat across the upper body. Some last a few seconds while others last many minutes, making them uncomfortable and inconvenient at all times. A few common symptoms of hot flashes include:
Usually, a lack of estrogen causes hot flashes in menopausal women. Low levels of estrogen negatively affect a woman's hypothalamus, or the part of the brain that regulates appetite and body temperature. Low estrogen levels cause the hypothalamus to assume incorrectly that the body is too hot. When it does, it dilates a woman's blood vessels to boost blood flow.
Fortunately, most women don't have to settle for the intense, unwanted feelings they endure with hot flashes. HRT pellet treatment from Juventee helps to stabilize hormones which may lessen the effects that hot flashes cause.
Staying healthy and fit is a challenge for anybody living in modern America. For women with hormonal imbalances, however, it's even harder. Weight gain is a concerning issue during menopause, but it can be manageable with a physician-led diet, exercise, and HRT treatments from Juventee.
HRT patients at Juventee benefit from health plans that keep hormones in check, making weight loss a real possibility. But which hormones need to be regulated to help avoid weight gain?
Millions of adults around the U.S. suffer from low sex drive, but that doesn't make it any more embarrassing to talk about. For many women going through pre-menopause and menopause, it's an unfortunate side effect of unbalanced hormones. Thankfully, HRT may help women maintain a healthy libido, even after 50. But what causes lowered sexual desire in women as they age?
The hormones responsible for low libido in females are estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone.
Progesterone production decreases during perimenopause, resulting in lowered libido in some women. Lower progesterone production can also cause weight gain, exhaustion, and other symptoms common during menopause. Reduced estrogen levels during menopause may lead to vaginal dryness and even loss of muscle tension.
Testosterone is referred to as a male hormone, but it contributes to important health functionality in women as well. Female testosterone heightens sexual responses and intensifies orgasms. When the ovaries can't produce sufficient levels of testosterone, low sex drive can happen.
The inside of a woman's bones is broken down and rebuilt by bone cells in an ongoing process called remodeling. This process is crucial for maintaining bone strength and health.
However, due to the loss of estrogen during menopause, this important process becomes unbalanced. Less bone is formed, and more bone is broken down. This advanced state of bone loss can be worrying for women, especially if they had an early menopause. With time, women may develop osteoporosis and a greater chance of breaking bones as they age.
Fortunately, HRT for women can actually mimic estrogen and progesterone, which may help prevent bone loss and lower chances of osteoporosis in women. That's huge news for women around the U.S., many of whom are battling early bone loss due to a lack calcium, vitamin D, and other nutrients crucial to bone health.
If you are considering HRT treatments for women in Fairview, NJ, you need a team of hormone replacement experts by your side. At Juventee, our knowledgeable HRT doctors are ready to help. Our team will answer your initial questions, conduct necessary testing, and craft a customized program designed to alleviate the challenges you're facing as a woman going through menopause.
With a healthy diet, exercise, positive life choices, and hormone replacement therapy, unveiling the new "you" is easier than you might think. Contact our office today to get started on your journey to optimal health and well-being.
It’s a simple concept. The refrigerator is empty and the pantry is bare. So, what do you do? You go to the supermarket and stock up, right?Well, for many New Jerseyans it’s not as simple as that.There are 50 food desert communities, home to 1.5 million New Jersey residents across a diverse range of communities in all 21 counties, according to the New Jersey Economic Development Authority.A food desert community is a community that is experienc...
It’s a simple concept. The refrigerator is empty and the pantry is bare. So, what do you do? You go to the supermarket and stock up, right?
Well, for many New Jerseyans it’s not as simple as that.
There are 50 food desert communities, home to 1.5 million New Jersey residents across a diverse range of communities in all 21 counties, according to the New Jersey Economic Development Authority.
A food desert community is a community that is experiencing food insecurity, said Emily Apple, director for economic security at NJEDA.
At the federal level, it is defined generally as being within a certain proximity of a supermarket.
“But in New Jersey we undertook a really thorough community-driven process where we went out and asked people what it meant to be in a food desert community, to come up with a comprehensive definition that encompassed not only what is the food retail environment in your ability to act as a grocery store but also looking at factors like the housing cost in your community,” Apple said.
What are the transit options? What are the levels of enrollment in federal nutrition benefits so that people can not only access food but afford it?
“Ultimately, we found nearly 1.5 million New Jerseyans living in food desert communities across the state,” she said.
North, Central and South Camden/Woodlynne in Camden County is the number one food desert community in New Jersey. Montague Township in Sussex County ranked 50th on the list from the NJEDA.
1. North, Central and South Camden/Woodlynne - Camden County
2. Atlantic City/Ventnor - Atlantic County
3. Newark South - Essex County
4. Newark West - Essex County
5. Camden East/Pennsauken - Camden County
6. Trenton West - Mercer County
7. Newark North and Central - Essex County
8. Newark East - Essex County
9. Salem City - Salem County
10. Passaic City - Passaic County
11. Trenton East - Mercer County
12. Bridgeton/Fairfield Twp/Lawrence Twp - Cumberland County
13. Paterson South - Passaic County
14. New Brunswick City - Middlesex County
15. Paterson North - Passaic County
16. Irvington Township - Essex County
17. Asbury Park City - Monmouth County
18. Jersey City South - Hudson County
19. East Orange City - Essex County
20. Penns Grove/Carneys Point - Salem County
21. Elizabeth City - Union County
22. Orange/West Orange/Montclair - Essex County
23. Jersey City Central - Hudson County
24. Perth Amboy City - Middlesex County
25. Lindenwold/Clementon - Camden County
26. Plainfield City - Union County
27. Pleasantville/Absecon - Atlantic County
28. Red Bank Borough - Monmouth County
29. Lakewood North - Ocean County
30. Jersey City North - Hudson County
31. Woodbine Borough - Cape May County
32. Long Branch City - Monmouth County
33. Millville/Commercial Twp - Cumberland County
34. Prospect Park/Haledon/Hawthorne - Passaic County
35. Keansburg Borough - Monmouth County
36. Paulsboro Borough - Gloucester County
37. Lakewood South - Ocean County
38. North Bergen/West New York/Guttenberg - Hudson County
39. Fairview Borough - Bergen County
40. Egg Harbor City - Atlantic County
41. Burlington City - Burlington County
42. Linden/Roselle - Union County
43. Vineland City - Cumberland County
44. Phillipsburg Town - Warren County
45. Bayonne City - Hudson County
46. Dover Town - Morris County
47. Bound Brook Borough - Somerset County
48. Union City - Hudson County
49. High Bridge Borough - Hunterdon County
50. Montague Township - Sussex County
More details on each food desert community can be found here.
In the coming months, food retailers will be able to apply for the $2.5 million Food Retail Innovation Delivery Grant, appropriated through the Fiscal Year 2022 state budget, which is aligned with Gov. Phil Murphy’s commitment to combating food insecurity.
These grants up to $250,000 for food retailers that are authorized to accept Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits or food stamps for online orders, to be able to purchase self-contained, temperature-controlled lockers, Apple explained.
Think of an Amazon locker where a package is securely delivered to a centralized location waiting for someone to pick it up. Apple said it’s like that except these lockers will be for grocery deliveries.
“The idea here is that we can leverage these supermarket and grocery stores that may not be within a food desert community, but have the ability to make deliveries into those communities, to be able to increase access to residents of those communities without having to take multiple buses or a taxi at their own expense,” Apple said.
Instead, residents can have their groceries delivered to a centralized location within their community, thereby increasing their accessibility to food and orders online.
To be eligible, food retailers must be authorized to accept online orders paid with SNAP benefits. This was a pilot started by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Retailers need to be able to accept SNAP online so that food desert community residents who are using these benefits can access and order groceries to these lockers, in the same way, someone else could with a credit card.
Retailers must also be in good standing with sister agencies within the state including Taxation, Workforce Development, and Environmental Protection, as well as committing to placing these self-contained lockers within a food desert community, Apple said.
Currently, New Jersey SNAP recipients can purchase groceries online from 16 retailers, but many food desert community residents remain unable to receive groceries as they lack a reliable delivery location due to unpredictable work schedules, family obligations or housing insecurity.
Once the application window is open in the coming months, it will remain open for 18 months from the start date or until the funds are exhausted, whichever comes first, Apple said.
Retailers can find the application here. They must submit an application detailing their plan to purchase these lockers before actually buying one.
Incentives are built into the program to co-locate these lockers with a community-based or social-service organization such as a food pantry, a soup kitchen, a community center, or a library where people are already accessing the services that they need, Apple said.
While the NJEDA has seen refrigerated lockers being adopted in other states, she said they don’t know of another state that’s doing a program to specifically incentivize retailers to use this model.
“It will be new for this state and something we’re really excited to pilot and potentially adopt and see how this makes an impact on increasing accessibility to food desert community residents while helping retailers transition to this new business model of e-commerce and what that means for shifting away from in-person in-store shopping and toward more e-commerce and online shopping,” Apple said.
Gallery Credit: Jimmy G
Orono, Maine -- Head football coach Jordan Stevens the Black Bears coaching staff have announced the following list of student-athletes who have signed National Letters of Intent to join the Black Bears.*Keegan Andrews | QB | 6-0 | 175 lbs | Kennebunk, ME / Bridgton Academy* - Highlights "Keegan has put in the work and continued to progress through his high school and prep career. We look for Keegan t...
Orono, Maine -- Head football coach Jordan Stevens the Black Bears coaching staff have announced the following list of student-athletes who have signed National Letters of Intent to join the Black Bears.
*Keegan Andrews | QB | 6-0 | 175 lbs | Kennebunk, ME / Bridgton Academy* - Highlights "Keegan has put in the work and continued to progress through his high school and prep career. We look for Keegan to continue to improve and make plays here at Maine." - Coach Stevens All-conference (2021) ... captain in 2021 ... also all-conference in baseball ... national honor society.
*Ta'kai Chisolm | DL | 6-3 | 213 lbs | Edison, N.J. / St. Joseph Regional* - Highlights "Ta'kai is a long- rangy defender with a huge upside. Ta'kai will grow into a playmaker in our defense." - Coach Stevens All-county first team defense ... senior captain ... guided St. Joseph Regional to the playoffs all three years he attended.
*Jaykob Dow | OL | 6-5 | 255 lbs | Hermon, ME / Hermon* - Highlights "Jaykob has the frame and athleticism to develop and grow into a great CAA OL. We can't wait to get going with Jaykob. He will flourish in our program." - Coach Stevens First team all-conference (2022) ... second team all-conference (2021) ... guided Hermon to appearances in the 2021 and 2022 Northern Maine title games ... also earned all-conference honors in basketball in 2022.
*Pius Ejindu | OL | 6-3 | 320 lbs | Lynn, MA / Saint John's Prep School* - Highlights "Pius is a big- strong OL with versatility to play inside and on the edge. Pius brings passion to everything he does." - Coach Stevens All-league ... AA-1 Defensive Player of the Year ... Senior Titan Award recipient ... Defensive MVP of his Senior Bowl ... guided team to a 9-1 mark his senior season ... honor roll
*Jaxon Gross | DL/TE | 6-1 | 225 lbs | Bucksport ME / Brewer* - Highlights "Jaxon brings a toughness and a great sense of pride to Maine Football. I look forward to seeing Jaxon play alongside his brother, David." - Coach Stevens 2022 PTC second team selection ... 2019 LTC first team (RB) and second team (LB) ... rushed for 1,431 yards in 2019 ... 2019 class D runner-up at Bucksport ... captain his junior and senior years ... also excelled in wrestling where he was crowned the 2022 class B state champion at 220 lbs ...
*Jack Lillie | OL | 6-4 | 275 lbs | Boulder, CO / Fairview* - Highlights "Jack is an exciting addition to our program. We believe that Jack is just scratching the surface of what he is going to become as a leader and football player." - Coach Stevens All-State honorable mention (2022-23) ... first team all-conference (2022-23) ... second team all-conference (2021-22) ... guided Fairview to the playoffs all four years ... league champions in 2019, 2020, and 2022 ... team advanced to Elite 8 in 2019-20 ... four-time city champions ... senior captain ...academic all-state first team (2022-23).
*Amari Mack | DB | 5-10 | 173 lbs | Jeannette, PA / Greensburg Central Catholic* - Highlights "Amari has very good cover skills and the range to play corner or safety. We are excited to have Amari bring his talents to Maine." - Coach Stevens All-State second team (DB) ... all-conference first team (DB) and all-conference second team (WR) ... senior captain ... honor roll student ... WPIAL finalist in the 110m hurdles, 300m hurdles, and triple jump.
*BJ Mayes | LB | 6-1 | 210 lbs | Aurora, Il. / Taft School* - Highlights "BJ is just scratching the surface of what he will be as a football player and leader. BJ will be a ladder on our defense." - Coach Stevens Second team all-state selection ... all-NEPSAC honorable mention ... Two-time all-conference honoree ... all-founders league selection ... high school national championship competitor (IMG Academy) ... guided Kenwood Academy to the high school city championship ... captain in 2021 ...three-time honor roll ... honor society.
*Kye Pressley | DL | 6-2 | 220 lbs | Hammonton, N.J. / Hammonton* - Highlights "Kye is a natural pass rusher with a tremendous ability to bend and make an impact off the edge."- Coach Stevens 3 star recruit (Rivals) ... ranked 17th player in N.J. ... ranked as No. 2 WDE in N.J. ... led the state of N.J. in sacks in 2022 ... two-time first team all-conference ... two-time all stars division honoree ... first team all-south Jersey ... 2nd team all-state ... named to Super 100 all-star team ... two-year captain ... guided team to a state championship appearance ... conference championship ... four playoff appearances ... honor roll.
*Devin Vaught | DB | 6-0 | 185 lbs | Charlotte, N.C. / Mallard Creek* - Highlights "Devin brings toughness to our secondary. His aggressive play and coverage ability will make him a playmaker in our defense." - Coach Stevens Two-time all conference honoree ... A/B honor roll.
*Sheaquan Walters | DB | 6-2 | 170 lbs | Nyack, N.Y. / Don Bosco* - Highlights "Sheaquan brings elite coverage skills and a work ethic that will help him develop into a dominant player." - Coach Stevens Allowed only five catches against him while making 28 tackles with an interception and a sack his senior year at Don Bosco ... guided Don Bosco to runner-up in states for three years ... team was once ranked No. 13 in the nation ... excelled in track & field where he ranked first in the county in the 100m and high-jump ... sixth in New York state in the high-jump.
The following student-athletes were announced during the early signing period in December of 2022:
*Chris Bacon | DL | 6-3 | 231 lbs | Hicksville, N.Y. / Holy Trinity H.S.* - Highlights
*Alex Berrouet | RB | 6-0 | 205 lbs | Acton, Mass. / Acton-Boxborough/Colorado State* - Highlights
*Na'Cire Christmas | DB | 6-0 | 180 lbs | Woodbury, N.J. / St. Augustine Prep* - Highlights
*Caden Drezek | QB | 6-3 | 215 lbs | Seymour, Conn. / Seymour H.S.* - Highlights
*Joe Horn | OL | 6-2 | 310 lbs | Hamilton, N.J. / The Hun School/UMass*
*Anthony Iliano | OL | 6-4 | 280 lbs | Cleveland, Ohio / Benedictine* - Highlights
*Kevin Jackson | WR | 5-11 | 180 lbs | Springfield, Mass. / Springfield Central* - Highlights
*Nicholas Kaptein | OL | 6-6 | 330 lbs | Ajax, Ontario / St. Thomas More School* - Highlights
*Tristen Kenan | RB | 5-11 | 190 lbs | Baltimore, MD / Dunbar H.S.* - Highlights
*Jake Kucera | TE | 6-4 | 230 lbs | North Haledon, N.J. / DePaul Catholic H.S.* - Highlights
*Nick Laughlin | WR | 5-10 | 180 lbs | Cape Elizabeth, Maine / Cape Elizabeth H.S.* - Highlights
*Michael Lewinski | K/P | 6-0 | 215 lbs | Wells, Maine / Wells H.S.* - Highlights
*Xavier Lozowicki | OL | 6-4 | 300 lbs | Ridley Park, PA / IMG Academy* - Highlights
*Jayden Platt | DB | 6-2 | 182 | Melville, N.Y. | St. Anthony's H.S.* - Highlights
*Blake Thomas | WR | 6-3 | 190 lbs | Seacaucus, N.J. / DePaul Catholic H.S.* - Highlights
*Jared Tynes | DL | 6-1 | 215 lbs | North Brunswick, N.J. / North Brunswick H.S.* - Highlights
*Ja'bari Odoemenem | LB | 6-1 | 230 lbs | Woodbridge, VA / Woodbridge H.S.* - Highlights
-UMaine-
A 6-year-old boy in North Carolina was caught with an unloaded firearm in his backpack Tuesday morning, officials said.Administrators at Fairview Elementary in Rocky Mount, North Carolina, notified a school resource officer just after 10:45 a.m.A preliminary investigation by the school resource officer revealed that the 6-year-old had an unloaded 9mm handgun in his backpack, and another student alerted a teacher...
A 6-year-old boy in North Carolina was caught with an unloaded firearm in his backpack Tuesday morning, officials said.
Administrators at Fairview Elementary in Rocky Mount, North Carolina, notified a school resource officer just after 10:45 a.m.
A preliminary investigation by the school resource officer revealed that the 6-year-old had an unloaded 9mm handgun in his backpack, and another student alerted a teacher. The teacher secured the backpack and removed the child from the classroom.
No threats were made with the weapon, which the child never displayed, the district said. The student will be disciplined according to the Nash County Public School's code of conduct.
Officials said the staff’s quick action helped avoid a "potential major incident."
MICHIGAN STATE SHOOTER ANTHONY MCRAE HAD NOTE IN POCKET THREATENING NJ SCHOOLS: COPS
"The situation that occurred today should be a reminder to all gun owners to secure their weapons in a safe manner so that minors cannot possess them," Rocky Mountain Police Chief Robert Hassell said in a statement to outlets. "This was a preventable situation."
The district said it takes "incidents like this very seriously, which is why we want to be transparent with you about the situation."
"We encourage all students if they see something to say something to a teacher or trusted adult," the district said in a statement. "While incidents like today can be scary for children, it is an opportunity to talk with your child about speaking up – which keeps everyone safe."
The investigation into how the student came to be in possession of the firearm is currently ongoing.
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The incident comes more than a month after a 6-year-old first-grader at a Virginia elementary school shot a teacher during an altercation in the classroom, leaving her with "life-threatening" injuries and renewing calls from parents for greater classroom safety and oversight.
Walking into this year’s Chocolate Expo you’ll be greeted by a trio of fountains dripping white, dark and milk chocolate with treats being freshly dipped in front of your eyes. Choosing between skewers of marshmallows and Rice Krispies Treats and strawberries and pineapples is just the beginning.Chocoholics of Long Island get ready for your cacao passion to kick in as The Chocolate Expo returns, this year at a new location, Hofstra University’s David S. Mack Sports & Exhibition Complex in Hempstead, on March 12 f...
Walking into this year’s Chocolate Expo you’ll be greeted by a trio of fountains dripping white, dark and milk chocolate with treats being freshly dipped in front of your eyes. Choosing between skewers of marshmallows and Rice Krispies Treats and strawberries and pineapples is just the beginning.
Chocoholics of Long Island get ready for your cacao passion to kick in as The Chocolate Expo returns, this year at a new location, Hofstra University’s David S. Mack Sports & Exhibition Complex in Hempstead, on March 12 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and promises to deliver up to 100 vendors.
“People feel good when they are eating chocolate,” says event producer Marvin Baum. “It’s a food that is associated with happy occasions and many childhood memories.”
Here are some treats to taste along your day of delectables.
The entryway spectacle, run by Aurora Gourmet from Orangeburg, NY, also includes additional dipping options such as bananas and cream puffs. Skewers range from $7 to $10. Add $2 if you want them served in a waffle cone or waffle bowl.
Bacon has become the popular pairing with chocolate in various ways at the Bacon Bites booth from Fairview, NJ.
“It’s the classic combo of salty and sweet,” says owner Larry Rosenberg. “Initially, people thought it was strange and now it’s become more mainstream.”
Take your pick - there are 4 oz. boxes of chocolate covered bacon ($20), double-stuffed Oreos topped with bacon, chocolate and pink pigs candy (box of three for $15), bacon chocolate 3 oz. crunch bars ($15) or chocolate covered pork rinds ($20 per box).
Sink your teeth into an old-school, New York-style soft pretzel, which is 8 inches wide, covered in chocolate from Levittown’s Knot of this World.
“It’s a good combination because the pretzels are savory and then it’s contrasted by the chocolate, which is sweet,” says owner Ray Ruffino. “The caramel brings it all together.”
The pretzels ($10 each) come in a variety of toppings like almonds, sprinkles, coconut, M&M’s and crushed Oreos.
For a more sophisticated chocolate experience, try the high-end artisan bonbons made by 2 Chicks with Chocolate of Middletown, NJ along with wine and liquor-infused treats.
“These are two-biters bonbons,” says co-owner Elyissia Chinchilla. “Everything is made from scratch whether it’s caramel or ganache. We don’t use any fake flavorings or fillings.”
The bonbons come in over 35 flavors (hazelnut, margarita, crème brûlée, cheesecake, lava cake) and are sold in boxes of four ($15.95) to 12 ($44.95) and up.
Fans of Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups will flip for the peanut butter and chocolate pie by Laurel’s Butter of Bohemia.
“It’s a dense, thick, decadent pie that’s addicting,” says owner Laurel Shortell. “Everything is natural. There are no added oils, sugars or preservatives.”
The 9-inch pie sells for $30 or $5 a slice. They also offer 15 flavored nut butters (banana bread, dark chocolate almond, dark chocolate sunflower, white chocolate and coconut), which are $10 for 8 oz. or $19 for 16 oz.
Solemate Cakes of Manhasset sell their own signature chocolate cake using Belgian cacao topped with chocolate powdered sugar.
“Our cakes have a unique texture,” says owner Jolene Todaro. “They are soft and chewy on the inside with a nice crunch on the outside.”
The cake is sold by the slice ($6) or as a full size cake ($29-$38) in various flavors (almond, lemon, blueberry, apple cinnamon crumb) along with chocolate.
There will be a truck load of truffles at the expo including a fusion of Brazilian and French delicacies from Vivilicious Chocolates of Bellingham, MA.
“These are light and velvety truffles that are crispy outside and made with Belgian chocolate,” says owner Viviane Gontijo. “There’s a creamy center with butterscotch notes but not gooey or chewy like most caramels.”
The flavors vary from passion fruit, raspberry and dark chocolate to coconut creme, pistachio and caramel mousse. They are sold in boxes of six ($25), 12 ($48) and 24 ($70).
Meanwhile, Brigadeiro Warehouse of The Bronx presents its Brazilian chocolate truffles.
“They have a strong chocolate flavor with no added sugars,” says owner Gabriela Pollack. “One taste and they will melt in your mouth.”
Brigadeiro truffles come in chocolate, strawberry, banana, passion fruit and lime. They are sold in boxes of four ($8) and 12 ($20).
In between snacking, kids can play in the Kidz Zone where there will be face painting, balloon twisting artists and a variety of craft activities for free. Photo-ops with Star Wars characters from The 501st Legion's Empire City Garrison and actor Paris Themmen, who played Mike Teavee in “Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory,” will be available as well. Plus, cooking demos are planned for DJ Chef (“Cutthroat Kitchen”) Chef Francis Legge (“Master Chef,” “Beat Bobby Flay”) and a performance from magician Eric Wilzig (“America’s Got Talent”).
THE CHOCOLATE EXPO
WHEN | WHERE 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., March 12; Hofstra University’s David S. Mack Sports & Exhibition Complex, 245 Hofstra University, Hempstead
ADMISSION Purchase timed entry tickets online: $20 adults, $10 children (5-12), free under 5; $40 VIP tickets (any time entry + deluxe insulated “Chocolate Fixes Everything” tote bag), $10 Late Day special (after 4 p.m.); At the door (if available): $30 adults, $15 children
What's the one food you'd be hard-pressed to find anyone that doesn't absolutely love it? That's pizza, of course.Here in South Jersey, we're so lucky to live somewhere that serves up so many great pies from almost everywhere you go. Let me tell you, it is NOT the same for the rest of the country. I recently took a trip to Nashville and their pizza is NOTHING like what we have here in Jersey. If you ever want a reason to be thankful that you live in the Garden State, let pizza be that reason....
What's the one food you'd be hard-pressed to find anyone that doesn't absolutely love it? That's pizza, of course.
Here in South Jersey, we're so lucky to live somewhere that serves up so many great pies from almost everywhere you go. Let me tell you, it is NOT the same for the rest of the country. I recently took a trip to Nashville and their pizza is NOTHING like what we have here in Jersey. If you ever want a reason to be thankful that you live in the Garden State, let pizza be that reason.
I feel bad for whomever was given the task to choose the best pizza joints in the state. There's so many great ones to sample. I will say, however, whomever made the list wasn't biased! South Jersey has a few pizza places that actually made it into the list of NJ's top 15 *new* pizza joints!
According to NJ.com, this place hasn't even been open for a year yet. People are apparently loving it, though! Their specialty pies include what they call a "Wise Guy" which includes sausage and long hots on it. They also have Brooklyn style pizza, a Grandma pizza, and margherita, too.
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Find out more about Nostra's HERE.
If the name "Lamberti" sounds familiar to you, that's because it's the family behind a bunch of different Lamberti locations in Camden County. Usually associated with upscale dining, the Lamberti name now has a pizza joint to add to the bunch. Lamberti reportedly acquired Vero's about a year ago and have been serving up some of the best of tomato pies in the area ever since. Read more HERE.
The Tacconelli name isn't new to the pizza business. In fact, back in 2017, they made the top 10 list for best pizza places. Since then, they've opened up a location in Haddon Township, Camden County, even further solidifying their place in South Jersey's heart. Just so you know, they're known for their sauce. Everything you need to know about Tacconelli's Pizzeria can be found HERE.
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Maybe next year we'll see even more South Jersey pizzerias in the top 15.